SOMERSWORTH — Blessing of the Animals, First Parish Church, 176 West High St., Somersworth, invites you to an outdoor, “Blessing of the Animals” on Sunday, October 7 at 2PM. This brief time of worship and blessing falls near the traditional “feast day” of St. Francis of Assisi [October 4th]. The Mission Committee is hosting this event. Please note: all animals must be brought under appropriate restraint. As an expression of the love and joy our pets and animals bring into our lives, an offering will be received for the Cocheco Valley Humane Society. Please consider donating: canned pet foods, used/clean towels and blankets, rope toys for dogs, stuffed animal dog toys, litter boxes, small, comfy cat beds, baby blankets [used/stained, but clean], toys for cats/kittens & dogs, milk bone dog biscuits, bottles of bleach, laundry detergent. Questions, call the church at 603-692-2057.

EXETER -- Religious Freedom in an Age of Islamophobia, Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m., Congregational Church in Exeter, 21 Front St., Exeter, A ‘We the People’ lecture by Daisy Khan: ‘Religious Freedom in a Age of Islamophobia.’, Free., Office, Exeter Congregational Church, 772-4216, officer@exetercongchurch.org, www.exetercongchurch.org.

PORTSMOUTH – The Buddhist Sangha at South Church is offering a Day of Mindfulness at the Portsmouth Library (Levenson Room) on October 20, providing Seacoast residents the opportunity to practice relaxation, peace, joy, and freedom during the fall season, learning to become free as a falling leaf, letting go of being busy, our pre-occupations, worries, fears and irritations.The day which starts at 9:30am will feature instruction on meditation, both sitting and walking, a talk on mindfulness, a mindful tea and snacks, deep relaxation, and touching the earth, a practice of forgiveness and compassion for self and others. The day will end at 1:30pm. It will be an opportunity for both experienced meditators and beginners to learn and enjoy the practice of mindfulness as an art of healing.The event, free of charge, will take place at the Portsmouth Public Library, 175 Parrott Avenue, in the Levenson Room. Tea and light snacks will be provided. All are welcome and no prior meditation experience is required.The Buddhist Sangha at South Church meets every Thursday evening at 7pm at Karnan House (206 Court Street) for meditation and discussion. Please look for more information about mindfulness on http://acupuncturemedical.org/meditation-mindfulness/, or Avi at 603-531-3130.

BERWICK, Maine — The United Methodist Church will be having a Pumpkin sale, Craft fair and Bake Good Sale at 37 School Street, every Thursday and Friday until the end of October, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays [EM] 8 a.m. till 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. till 5 p.m. For more information: call Dickie at 603-828-7021.